Drama Club presents “Thoroughly Modern Millie”

Everything today is thoroughly modern, or is it? This year the JCA drama club will perform the riveting jazzy Thoroughly Modern Millie, a contemporary show set in the 1920s about a small town girl who travels to the big city. There she encounters many characters including comical Chinese men, a fake Chinese woman, an heiress, a celebrity, and various big city people. While the show is set in the 1920s, it comedically tackles many issues that are still around today, such as the role of women in society and the power of economic status as a motivator.

The show is also extremely demanding of its actors. With difficult 8-part harmonies, elaborate tap and jazz dance numbers, and tricky comedic timing, Thoroughly Modern Millie requires a lot of work. To overcome this, the drama club has been working since auditions which were held before Christmas break. They rehearse Monday through Thursday for three hours each day with occasional Friday and homeroom rehearsals. Also, they spend every day off and half day rehearsing extra with rehearsals that last up to eight hours at a time. All this hard work should pay off when opening night comes around on Thursday, March 19th.

The musical showcases the talents of Tiffany Taylor, Jimmy Folino, Lauren Laverdiere, Andrew Casey, Emily Gorski, Robert Babich, Ryan O’Connell, and Ariel Bouie as the main characters with backup from many others of drama club’s finest actors. Tiffany Taylor will be playing Millie, the character who the show revolves around. When asked about Tiffany’s role, she said, “Playing Millie is a dram come true. Millie has been my dream role since sophomore year, and to be able to achieve such a demanding role in my last show at JCA is an experience I am truly grateful for. This show has a special place in my heart, mainly because my idol, Sutton Foster, was the first person to play this role on Broadway in 2002. I believe this show sends a positive message and that everyone who attends will leave singing the songs nonstop.”

This excellent show will play at Bicentennial Park Theatre (201 W. Jefferson St., Joliet) March 19-21 at 7 p.m. with an Understudy Showcase March 21 at 2 p.m. All tickets are available at the door with the exception of the Saturday showcase. For more information, contact jcadrama@att.net or Drama Club moderator, Jennifer Szynal, at 815.741.0500, ext. 432.